The Office of Examinations assists students with testing needs. The office administers
qualifying examinations to incoming students, and examinations on the state and federal
constitutions. The office also has registration materials and/or is a testing center
for ACT and CLEP.

Academic Skills Examinations

Freshmen: Once accepted for admission to Chicago State University, all freshmen must take the
university qualifying examinations in English, reading, and mathematics by the end
of their first term in residence. All freshmen students must either meet their minimal
requirements of the university qualifying examinations or pass the appropriate academic
skills course, namely English 1230, Reading 1500, or Math 0990 Level 1 and/or 2. Students
must pass the appropriate examination to exit these courses.

Transfer students : Transfer students who have not completed an associate’s degree (A.A. degree or
A.S. degree) must take qualifying examinations in English and reading by the end of
their first term in residence. Transfer students who transfer in general education
math courses with a C or better or whose majors do not require additional mathematics
courses do not have to take the proficiency examination in mathematics. Transfer students
who do not transfer in general education math or who are required by their majors
or courses to take more math (particularly in the sciences, mathematics, engineering,
and technology majors) must take the proficiency examination in mathematics. Students
must meet with their advisors to determine whether or not their majors require them
to take the mathematics placement examination.

Transfer students entering Chicago State University as of Fall 2008 who have earned
an associate’s degree (A.A. degree or A.S. degree) or who have completed 75 hours
or more from a combination of two and four-year institutions and have completed the
Illinois General Education Curriculum (as indicated by the transcript) are considered
to have met the University General Education Requirement. However, students are required
to take a qualifying examinations in English, reading, or math if the major or course
requires it as a prerequisite.

English Qualifying Examination

Students entering the university with no credit in composition must take the English
Diagnostic Examination. Students who successfully meet placement requirements may
enroll in English 1270/127, Composition I. Students who do not meet placement requirements
are required to enroll in English 1230/123, Writer’s Workshop I. Upon successful completion
of English 1230/123 or English 1270/127, students will receive three credit hours
in composition and enroll in English 1280/128, Composition II. Students wishing to
transfer three credit hours of composition must take the English Qualifying Examination.
Students who pass the English Qualifying Examination will receive transfer credit
for English 1270/127, Composition I, and will enroll in English 1280/128, Composition
II. Students who do not pass the examination must enroll in English 1230/123, Writers’
Workshop I. Upon successful completion of English 1230/123, students will receive
credit for Composition I and will then enroll in English 1280/128, Composition II.
Students wishing to transfer five to six credit hours in composition must also take
the English Qualifying Examination. Students who pass the examination will receive
transfer credit for six hours in composition. Students who do not pass the examination
must enroll in ENG 1240/124, Writers’ Workshop II. Upon successful completion of ENG
1240/124, students will receive their six credit hours in composition.

NOTE: students enrolled in ENG 1230/123 or 1270/127 must pass the English Qualifying
Examination at the end of the course to receive a passing grade and credit for the
course. Students who do not pass the English Qualifying Examination will be required
to repeat the course.

Reading Qualifying Examination

Students who fail to pass the reading examination are required to enroll in READ 1500/150
(Advanced College Reading Skills), a course offered by the College of Education. The
course will provide the student with the necessary reading instruction to assist in
the successful completion of the reading qualifying examination, which is taken at
the end of the course.

Mathematics Qualifying Examination

Degree seeking undergraduate students may not register for any mathematics or computer
science courses until they have passed the mathematics qualifying examination or the
appropriate academic skills mathematics course(s). This is a computerized examination
which will place students into MATH 0990/099 Level I or 0990/099 Level 2 (Intermediate
Algebra) or a higher-level mathematics course depending on the student’s major.

Transfer students must meet with their advisors to determine whether or not their
majors require them to take the mathematics placement examination. Regardless of major,
any student who wishes to enroll in a course or courses for which passing the Math
0990/099 level of the qualifying math examination is required as a prerequisite must
take the examination and enroll in Math 0990/099 Level I or II as advised based on
the mathematics examination results.

Students who have passed the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills (ICTBS).

Students who complete the ACT Compass examinations in reading and mathematics at another
college or university, providing the scores are at the same passing level as required
by Chicago State University.

Examination waivers apply only to university requirements. Departments and programs
retain the option of requiring successful completion of one or more of the qualifying
examinations as a condition of program completion or as prerequisites for course offerings.

Retake Policy

Effective fall 2004, students who fail a placement examination on their first attempt
may automatically retake it only during their first semester in residence at Chicago
State University (CSU). Students are assessed a $25 retake fee for each university
placement examination (English or mathematics or reading) which must be paid at the
cashier’s office (Cook Administration Building, room 210). Students who earn an A
in a developmental mathematics courses at Chicago State University are permitted to
retake the mathematics examination free if taken within one semester of completing
the developmental course. Depending on their scores, these students may place into
a higher level mathematics course. In order for students to receive appropriate instruction,
the following conditions are stipulated relative to the examination retake procedure:

Students who do not pass an examination on their first attempt may retake it during
their first semester in residence at CSU without petition. After the first semester,
students must petition for a retake of each examination. If the petition is granted,
students must pay the $25 retake fee.

Students who do not pass an examination on the second attempt will be required to
register for the appropriate developmental course during the following semester. Policies
in place that prevent students from registering for courses if students have not completed
the required developmental courses will be strongly enforced.

Credit by Examination

The university recognizes that students may acquire knowledge through means other
than formal college level courses. Therefore, a program of credit by examination has
been established to award college level credit to students who demonstrate that they
have satisfied college level course requirements. A student may earn up to a maximum
of 60 credit hours by examination. Methods currently available are: (1) College Level
Examination Program; (2) Advanced Placement Program; (3) Proficiency Examination Program;
and (4) University administered and/or constructed qualifying examinations.

College Level Examination Program

The College Level Examination Program offers both general and subject examinations.
General examinations measure achievement in five basic liberal arts areas: (1) English
composition*; (2) humanities; (3) mathematics; (4) natural sciences; and (5) social
sciences-history. General examinations are designed to be particularly relevant to
the kinds of intellectual experiences students can be expected to have had by the
end of two years of college-level study, whether in or out of college. The subject
examinations are tied more closely to a specific course or subject and are intended
to measure an individual’s achievement in that particular area. They are designed
to assess students’ overall mastery of the subject and to compare their grasp of the
information, ideas, and skills with those normally expected of students who successfully
complete the course. All full or part-time undergraduate degree seeking students currently
enrolled at the university and all incoming freshmen and transfer degree seeking students
are eligible to participate in the program.

Graduate students accepted into one of the graduate programs of the university are
also eligible to take the examinations to satisfy prerequisite undergraduate courses.
Registration forms may be obtained from the Office of Examinations, ADM 126. Completed
registration forms along with fees must reach the Office of Examinations at least
four weeks prior to the test date(s) for subject examinations, and one week prior
to the test date(s) for general examinations. Fees must be paid by check or money
order (not by cash) made payable to College Level Examination Program and Chicago
State University. The distribution of scores earned on the general and subject examinations
of CLEP are controlled by the individual taking the examination. Scores are mailed
by CLEP to the person taking the examinations and to whomever the individual has designated.

Incoming degree seeking freshmen and transfer students who have taken CLEP tests before
being admitted to Chicago State University should have an official statement of their
CLEP scores mailed to the Office of Admissions, Chicago State University. The scores
will become a part of the admissions folder for entering students but will in no way
affect the admissions decision. The request for such scores should be directed to:

CLEP Program Box 1822 Princeton, New Jersey 08541

Currently enrolled degree-seeking students who have taken CLEP tests since admission
and registration at the university should have an official statement of their CLEP
scores mailed to the Office of Academic Evaluation and Advisement.

The university will award successful candidates college credit in accordance with
university policy. Scores in all examinations must reach or exceed the 50th percentile
in order for credit to be granted by the university. Students will be notified in
writing by the Office of Academic Evaluation and Advisement as to the number of credit
hours earned at the university through the CLEP examinations. All credit earned will
be posted on the student’s permanent academic record. No student may retake a CLEP
examination within a six month period.

* Students who take and pass the English composition CLEP examination must also pass
the Chicago State University English Qualifying Examination (EQE) in order to apply
CLEP credits to the general education composition requirement.

Advanced Placement Program

The university participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance
Examination Board. Students who have completed advanced level courses in high school
may take the standardized examinations offered by the Board. Upon application for
admission to the university, students should send their test scores to the Office
of Admissions. The appropriate university academic department determines the scores
required for the granting of credit. Students are notified in writing by the Office
of Evaluation and Advisement as to the credit hours earned through the program. At
present, course descriptions and examinations are available in American history, art,
biology, chemistry, English, European history, French, German, Latin,

mathematics, music, physics, and Spanish. These examinations are based on college-level
studies. Students who have not had extensive preparation beyond regular secondary
school work are not expected to take them. The examinations are administered during
the third week in May. Students take the examinations in their own local participating
schools. The secondary schools participating in the program must take the primary
responsibility for the administration of the examinations and distribution of materials
and documents. Students who are unable to make the necessary arrangements to take
the examinations should write to: Program Director College Board Advanced Placement
Examination, Box 977, Princeton, New Jersey 08541

Examination fees are collected by the schools in which the examinations are given.
Students may obtain information regarding the current examination fee schedule from
their high school academic counselor.

Proficiency Examination Program

The American College Testing Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) provides students
with an opportunity to obtain recognition for college-level learning, regardless of
how the knowledge was acquired. There are a total of 47 examinations designed to permit
an individual to demonstrate proficiency in various college-level subjects. PEP examinations
cover coursework in a broad range of areas, including the arts and sciences, criminal
justice, business, education, health, and nursing. Most of the examinations cover
undergraduate level work, but some deal with graduate-level learning. The examinations
generally cover material studied in comparable one or two semester courses; a few
advanced examinations in business subjects deal with broader areas. The PEP examinations
have been prepared by college and university faculty members who have taught comparable
courses in their own schools. Each examination is based on an outline that defines
its scope and content. This outline is contained in the PEP study guide for examinations,
which may be obtained by writing to ACT. The PEP examinations are administered four
times annually during regularly scheduled testing periods that encompass two days.
A student may register for any examination given on a particular date, except that
a student: (1) may take only one examination during any of the four half-day testing
sessions; and (2) may not take the same examination more than twice during any 12
consecutive months. A student’s grade for any PEP examination is the result of the
application of one of three scoring systems; hence, it is reported in one of three
ways: (1) a standard score; (2) a letter grade; or (3) a pass/fail grade. A student
is awarded credit for an examination at Chicago State University if the student has
achieved (1) a standard score of 45 or higher; (2) a letter grade of C or better;
and (3) a grade of Pass. For registered nurses matriculating for the Bachelor of Science
in Nursing, credits earned by the PEP examinations may be counted toward meeting graduation
requirements subject to all the academic regulations that would apply if the same
course had been taken in regular class attendance. For more information about any
aspect of the ACT Proficiency Examination Program, write: The PEP Program, P.O. Box
168, Iowa City, Iowa 52243

University Proficiency Examinations

Many of the academic programs of the university participate in the university’s program
of credit by proficiency examination. The examinations cover material taught in university
courses in particular subjects. Credit for successful performance on these examinations
is granted by the university. The decision as to what constitutes adequate performance
on these examinations or the validity of a test in a given area is made by the university
department concerned. Applications for university administered and/or constructed
qualifying examinations are available in the Office of the Registrar. Proficiency
examinations may be taken for credit in accordance with the following regulations:

The applicant must be a degree seeking student at the university and in good academic
standing.

The course for which the examination is requested may not duplicate any courses already
taken for credit or accepted as transfer credit upon entrance to the university.

The applicant must obtain the approval of the chairperson of the appropriate academic
department.

An examination for credit will not be permitted in a course where the applicant has
already received credit for coursework in advance of the course for which the examination
is requested (to be determined by chairperson).

In order for the student to be granted credit, the examination must be comprehensive,
and the grade must be C or better.

Credit earned by proficiency examinations may be counted toward meeting graduation
requirements subject to all the academic regulations that would apply if the same
course had been taken in regular class attendance. The grade in the proficiency examination
is Pass or Fail. No

official record is made of failures in these examinations, and grades received on
qualifying examinations are not considered in computing grade point averages. Students
will be notified in writing by the Office of the Registrar as to credit hours earned
through proficiency examinations.

All credit earned will be posted on the student’s permanent academic record.

Policy on Student Conduct

The Office of the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs is responsible for providing
oversight of the process for protecting students’ rights to live and learn in a safe
and crime-free environment. The office administers CSU’s student judicial process
and follows the guidelines established by

the university. A judicial hearing committee representing members of CSU’s faculty,
staff and students is responsible for hearing students’ responses to charges filed
with the Office of Student Conduct and for levying sanctions in cases when students
are found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct. The complete Student
Code of Conduct can be found online at www.csu.edu/DOSA or by calling 773/995-2448.

Policy on Release of Student Information

Chicago State University, in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy
Act of 1974, has designated the degrees a student has been awarded, current enrollment
status (full-time/part-time, withdrawal) and academic information used to determine
eligibility for scholarships or awards as directory (public) information. The University
receives many inquiries for directory information from a variety of sources including
prospective employers, licensing agencies, government agencies, friends and relatives.
Students have the right to have this directory information withheld from the public
if they so desire. Forms to request directory

information be withheld can be obtained in the Office of the Registrar, ADM 128. The
University, in good faith, will not release information not listed as directory information
unless the student provides written consent for the release. All students enrolled
at the university shall

have the right to inspect and review their official university records, to request
corrections or deletions, and to limit access to such records by other persons in
accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and
university guidelines issued pursuant thereto. Copies of the Guidelines for Implementation
of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 are available in the Office
of the Registrar. The primary academic record of a student is located in the Office
of the Registrar. Other records may be located in Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Financial
Affairs, Wellness/Health Center, School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Financial
Aid, Student Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics and academic departmental offices.
Students have the right to file complaints regarding alleged failure of the university
to comply with FERPA. Students should file a written request for a hearing with the
Office of Judicial Affairs.

Undergraduate degrees and Majors at Chicago State University

Although only one undergraduate major is required for graduation, students may take
advantage of the diverse educational opportunities available at the University to
complete multiple undergraduate majors. Multiple majors may be completed in the following
ways:

Double/Second Major

Students may declare a double/second major with the approval of the participating
departments. Students choosing a second/double major must satisfy requirements for
both majors. Unless otherwise specified in a particular program, students may use
a specific course to meet requirements for both majors. Nevertheless a double/second
major may require more credit hours than the 120 semester hour minimum required for
graduation. If the requirements for both majors are fulfilled, both will be indicated
on the academic transcript record. The diploma granted will be that of the student’s
first or primary major. Double/second majors are categorized as 2 majors in “Bachelor
of Arts” (BA) or 2 majors in “Bachelor of Science” (BS).

Students pursuing a double major who complete all degree requirements for one major
but not the other, may graduate with a single major by submitting a change-of-major
form to change from “double or “second” to “single-major” status.

For one degree (BA or BS) with a double major, one graduation application is filled
out and signed by both advisors.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who has received one bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University or
from another accredited institution may receive a second bachelor’s degree, provided
that all specified requirements for the second degree are fully met, and provided
also that the curriculum offered for the second degree includes a minimum of 33 semester
hours not counted for the first degree.

Applicants wishing to earn a second bachelor’s degree at Chicago State University
must:

Be a graduate of an accredited college or university, or an admitted 2nd degree student
at Chicago State University.

Submit the appropriate application form and academic credentials to the Office of
Admissions.

Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours at Chicago State University distributed as
follows:

At least 24 of the 33 semester hours of work required for the second degree must be
senior college level.

Complete the semester hours required for a major as established by the selected degree
program and the appropriate academic department. Courses completed as part of the
program for the first degree will not be counted for meeting the requirements in semester
hours for the new major, unless the major department at Chicago State University approves.

Applicants for the second bachelor’s degree are subject to the same academic regulations
as students earning their first baccalaureate degree at Chicago State University.

Candidates for second bachelor’s degree must pay the graduation fee and all other
appropriate fees.

Please Note: Graduate tuition rates apply to all students holding a baccalaureate
degree, regardless of the level of course work in which they intend to enroll. This
policy applies to those who are seeking a second-bachelor’s degree, non-degree-seeking,
or seeking a certificate.

Concurrent Baccalaureate Degrees

A student may complete more than one major by electing to concurrently pursue multiple
degrees: (majors in Bachelor of Arts (BA) and majors in Bachelor of Science (BS).

Students may pursue concurrent degrees with the approval of the participating departments.
Students choosing to pursue concurrent degrees must satisfy requirements for both
degrees. Unless otherwise specified in a particular program, students may use a specific
course to meet requirements for both degrees. Nevertheless concurrent degrees may
require more credit hours than the 120 semester hour minimum required for graduation.
For concurrent degrees, students will receive two diplomas. In such cases, the transcript
and diplomas will read, for example, “Bachelor of Arts: major in Sociology” and “Bachelor
of Science: major in Mathematics”.

Applicants wishing to earn concurrent degrees at Chicago State University must:

Submit the appropriate application form and academic credentials to the Office of
Admissions.

Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours at Chicago State University distributed as
follows:

At least 24 of the 33 semester hours of work must be senior college level.

The general education requirements of the selected degree program must be fulfilled
either through courses completed through transfer credit or through appropriate courses
completed at Chicago State University.

Complete the semester hours required for a major as established by the selected degree
program and the appropriate academic department. Courses completed as part of the
program for the one degree will not be counted for meeting the requirements in semester
hours for the second degree, unless the major department at Chicago State University
approves.

Applicants for concurrent degrees are subject to the same academic regulations as
students earning their first or second baccalaureate degree at Chicago State University.

Candidates for concurrent degrees must pay the graduation fee and all other appropriate
fees. Two separate graduation applications must be submitted.

Grievance Procedure

Each college, program, and/or department has a grievance procedure developed to provide
students with a fair method of resolving conflicts with faculty, staff, and administrators.
Students with complaints, grievances, and appeals concerning academic programs should
contact the appropriate department chairperson or the dean of the appropriate college.
If complaints cannot be handled at the department or college level, students should
contact the University Ombudsperson.

Oral English Proficiency Policy and Student Complaint Procedures

Illinois statute requires each public institution of higher education to “establish
a program to assess the oral English language proficiency of all persons providing
classroom instruction to

students” and to “insure that each person who is not orally proficient in the English
language attain such proficiency prior to providing any classroom instruction to students.”
Students with complaints about the oral English proficiency of an instructor should
first contact the chairperson of the department involved. The complaint must be in
writing and should be as specific as possible. Copies of the complaint must be sent
to the appropriate college dean and to the provost. The chairperson will investigate
the complaint and may observe the class. If the chairperson concludes that the faculty
member’s English is adequate, the chairperson will notify the student, the faculty
member, the appropriate college dean, and the provost. The student may appeal the
chairperson’s decision to the dean. The dean will then investigate the complaint and
follow the same notification procedure. The decision of the dean will be final. If
the chairperson or the dean finds that the faculty member’s oral English is unsatisfactory,
he or she will make a recommendation to the provost who will take action on this recommendation
and notify all parties involved of his or her decision. Except for the necessary notifications,
the identities of all students and faculty involved in oral English proficiency complaints
shall remain confidential.